SPEAK OUT: Push to make Ponkapoag private is misguided

Wednesday

The only losers I see in privatizing Ponkapoag Golf Course are the blue-collar workers, children and seniors who make up the majority of patrons.

It seems to be time for the annual “full court press” by state Sen. Brian Joyce to turn taxpayers against one of the best values in the state with half-truths and outright lies.

Regarding Ponkapoag Golf Course, he stated recently “the state can no longer afford the luxury of running public golf courses, which it does quite badly and at significant taxpayer expense.”

A blatant lie. He knows the greens fees paid by the golfers pay for the entire operation and put money into the state General Fund to be used elsewhere in the state. The term is “revenue neutral,” correct senator?

If he doesn’t know this, then maybe he needs a remedial course in how the state government actually functions.

Not knowing all the facts hasn’t stopped him from being an expert.

Also, the town of Canton refused the same offer two years ago.

I guess he feels that only Canton residents deserve discounted fees.

He has changed his estimate of the cost of rehabilitating the course from the $10 million to $15 million figure he used to throw around over the years to the more realistic $2 million to $5 million.

As far as “putting it out to public bid and seeing what happens” that was done over the last couple of years … no takers, senator.

If a private company was to come in, I have two words for you – Granite Links – $100 green fees.

No private for-profit golf management company sees Ponkapoag – or Leo J. Martin Golf Course (which the state owns but you don’t seem to have much interest in pushing out the door) – as fitting their model (read: profits.)

The only losers I see here are the blue-collar workers, children and seniors who make up the majority of Ponkapoag golfers.

John F. Flaherty Jr. is the president of Ponkapoag Golf Club.

What's your opinion? Click here to write a letter to the editor, leave a comment on the story below or call 781-340-3157 and leave a short message that we might post as an audio letter.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.